Carbon fiber composite, a medium incorporating the carbon fiber composite, and a related method

ABSTRACT

Carbon fiber composite additives, media incorporating the carbon fiber composites, and related methods are provided herein. In some aspects, a composition includes at least one medium; and a carbon fiber composite incorporated with the at least one medium, the carbon fiber composite including one or more carbon fibers with an epoxy resin matrix applied thereto to produce a composition having improved characteristics and filtration performance.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to carbon fiber composites.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to carbon fibercomposite additives, media incorporating the carbon fiber composites,and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Cured carbon fiber composite material (CCFCM) retains some of themechanical performance properties of a ‘pristine’ carbon fiber, i.e., acarbon fiber without an epoxy resin matrix incorporated therein. Inorder to repurpose the CCFCM while still retaining these mechanicalperformance properties, costly chemical processes are needed to reducethe CCFCM fibers to a minimum fiber size and treat the surface of thefiber to separate it from the matrix; thereby negating much of theenvironmental benefit for repurposing the CCFCM.

Accordingly, it is desirable for carbon fiber composite additives, mediaincorporating the carbon fiber composites, and related methods that areable to be repurposed without the need for expensive treatmentprocesses, are non-toxic, and reduce environmental impact.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Example implementations of the present disclosure are directed to acarbon fiber composite additive, a composition of a medium incorporatingthe carbon fiber composite, and a related method for making thecomposition. Example implementations of the composition of the mediumincluding the carbon fiber composite provide improved performance inpervious pavement in terms of durability, wear, workability duringplacement, and variability. The pervious pavement may comprise apervious concrete or a porous asphalt. Other example implementations ofthe composition of the medium including the carbon fiber compositeprovide improved performance in filtration systems, such as jet fuelfiltration systems.

The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation, the followingexample implementations.

Some example implementations provide a carbon fiber composite additivecomprising one or more carbon fibers with an epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto.

In some example implementations of the carbon fiber composite additiveof the preceding or any subsequent example implementation, or anycombination thereof, the one or more carbon fibers comprise apolyacrylonitrile (PAN)-type carbon fiber, and wherein the epoxy resinmatrix comprises at least one of a thermoplastic resin and an epoxyresin.

In some example implementations of the carbon fiber composite additiveof any preceding or any subsequent example implementation, or anycombination thereof, the carbon fiber composite further comprises amesoporous material.

In some example implementations of the carbon fiber composite additiveof any preceding or any subsequent example implementation, or anycombination thereof, the one or more carbon fibers comprise an interiorstructure having randomly folded basal planes.

In some example implementations of the carbon fiber composite additiveof any preceding or any subsequent example implementation, or anycombination thereof, the one or more carbon fibers with an epoxy resinmatrix applied thereto is separated into different particle sizefractions.

In some example implementations of the carbon fiber composite additiveof any preceding or any subsequent example implementation, or anycombination thereof, the different particle size fractions compriseabout 21.1 percent, about 30.1 percent, and about 48.6 percent relativeto a weight by volume percentage of a composition incorporating thecarbon fiber composite and at least one medium.

Some example implementations provide a composition comprising at leastone medium; and a carbon fiber composite incorporated with the at leastone medium, the carbon fiber composite comprising one or more carbonfibers with an epoxy resin matrix applied thereto to produce acomposition having improved characteristics and filtration performance.

In some example implementations of the composition of the preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, theimproved characteristics of the composition are improved relative to acomposition including a medium devoid of a carbon fiber composite.

In some example implementations of the composition of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thecomposition is utilized for sporting goods, automotive, andnon-structural aerospace parts applications where improved filtrationperformance is desired.

In some example implementations of the composition of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thecarbon fiber composite is a cured carbon fiber composite material(CCFCM).

In some example implementations of the composition of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thecarbon fiber composite is configured to be refined into differentparticle size fractions relative to a weight by volume percentage of thecomposition.

In some example implementations of the composition of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, acarbon fiber content of the different particle size fractions relativeto the weight by volume percentage of the composition is modified incorrespondence with a desired filtration performance.

In some example implementations of the composition of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, atleast one medium comprises clay, cellulose, sand, peat moss, perlite,glass beads, zeolite, concrete, or asphalt.

In some example implementations of the composition of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, atleast the one or more carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto of the carbon fiber composite is incorporated with the at leastone medium in one or more sizes and one or more quantities to reduceknown pollutant concentrations in a specimen to below a standardbenchmark level.

In some example implementations of the composition of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, theone or more carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix applied thereto ofthe carbon fiber composite are incorporated with the at least one mediumin a defined weight by volume percentage of the total composition toreduce known pollutant concentrations in a specimen to below a standardbenchmark level.

In some example implementations of the composition of any preceding orany subsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, thecomposition has improved filtration performance dependent on one or moreof a surface area of the one or more carbon fibers of the carbon fibercomposite, a flow rate of fluid flowing through the composition, a pH ofthe fluid, a molecular weight of a contaminant entrained in the fluid,and a molecular size of the contaminant.

Some example implementations provide a method for making a compositioncomprising providing at least one medium; and incorporating a carbonfiber composite with the at least one medium, the carbon fiber compositecomprising one or more carbon fibers with an epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto to produce a composition having improved characteristics andfiltration performance.

In some example implementations of the method of the preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, themethod further comprises refining the one or more carbon fibers with theepoxy resin matrix applied thereto of the carbon fiber composite intodifferent particle size fractions relative to a weight by volumepercentage of the composition.

In some example implementations of the method of the preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof, providingthe at least one medium comprises providing at least one of clay,cellulose, sand, peat moss, perlite, glass beads, zeolite, concrete, orasphalt.

In some example implementations of the method of the preceding or anysubsequent example implementation, or any combination thereof,incorporating the carbon fiber composite with the at least one medium toproduce the composition having improved characteristics and filtrationperformance comprises producing the composition having improvedcharacteristics relative to a composition including a medium devoid of acarbon fiber composite.

The features, functions and advantages discussed herein may be achievedindependently in various example implementations or may be combined inyet other example implementations further details of which may be seenwith reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described example implementations of the disclosure ingeneral terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates randomly folded basal planes on a fiber interior of acarbon fiber composite additive according to some exampleimplementations of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating various steps in a method for makinga composition according to some example implementations of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown.Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theimplementations set forth herein; rather, these example implementationsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in theart. For example, unless otherwise indicated, reference something asbeing a first, second or the like should not be construed to imply aparticular order. Something may be described as being above somethingelse (unless otherwise indicated) may instead be below, and vice versa;and similarly, something described as being to the left of somethingelse may instead be to the right, and vice versa. Also, for example,reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values,relationships or the like (e.g., planar, coplanar, perpendicular).Unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may beabsolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that mayoccur, such as those due to engineering tolerances or the like. Likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

A carbon fiber composite additive, a composition of a mediumincorporating the carbon fiber composite, and a related method formaking the composition are disclosed herein. The carbon fiber compositeadditive comprises a cured carbon fiber composite material (CCFCM)including one or more carbon fibers and an epoxy resin matrix configuredto be added to the one or more carbon fibers. In some examples, theCCFCM comprises polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-type carbon fibers, athermoplastic resin, and an epoxy resin in varying percentages by weightof the total CCFCM; although the CCFCM may additionally comprisefiberglass, aluminum, and/or titanium.

The carbon fibers having an epoxy resin matrix material applied theretoof the CCFCM include intermediate modulus (IM) carbon fibers havingnominally about, for example, a 265 GPa to about a 320 GPa tensilemodulus and/or having about 4.0 GPa to about 5.8 GPa tensile strength.Specifically, as used herein, the IM carbon fibers included in the CCFCMare, for example, aerospace grade IM carbon fibers. Typically, aerospacegrade IM carbon fibers are not normally used in filtration applicationsdue to the high costs associated therewith; however, the use ofrepurposed aerospace grade IM carbon fibers bridges that price gap forfiltration applications with the additional benefits targeted elsewhere.Examples of common aerospace grade IM carbon fibers include T800commercially available from TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC., IM7 commerciallyavailable from HEXCEL®, IMS65 commercially available from Toho Tenax,T650 commercially available from Cytec Solvay Group, etc.

By comparison, “pristine” carbon fibers (i.e., carbon fibers without anepoxy resin matrix incorporated therein) do not benefit from theadvantages resulting from the incorporation of an epoxy resin matrix.More particularly, the pristine carbon fibers lack increased reactivesites and water uptake as compared to the carbon fiber compositedisclosed herein. In some instances, an epoxy resin matrix comprisesthermoplastics, such as polyethersulfone and polyamides.

Repurposing the carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto of the CCFCMs for alternative applications provides anadditional value stream for a material whose production is increasingsignificantly, but which does not currently have well developedrepurposing paths. For those applications already implementing CCFCMsincluding carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix applied thereto,multifunctional properties such as water filtration or staticdissipation provide additional value because at least some of the lengthof the carbon fiber structure and thus the mechanical performanceassociated therewith is maintained by the CCFCMs. Additionally, CCFCMshave resin particulates present that may provide additional active sitesfor filtration.

A refined CCFCM can function as a filtration system when encapsulatedwithin another medium, e.g., a permeable pavement composition. Forexample, the CCFCM is added directly to at least one medium withoutadditional care for maintaining surface reactivity or surface area. Thenature of the carbon fiber structure of the carbon fibers with the epoxyresin matrix applied thereto of the CCFCM provides the mechanism forfiltration performance. In some instances, filtration is achieved atonly a minimal loading of about one to about two percent.

Typical filtration performance utilizing CCFCM, either by itself orencapsulated within a medium such as a permeable pavement composition,includes improving a quality of water or other fluid passed therethroughby the CCFCM removing any contaminants (i.e., pollutants, sediments,toxins, etc.) therefrom. Such filtration performance is attributable tothe fluid being in intimate contact with the CCFCM, which is known toprovide filtration performance dependent on at least one or more of, butnot limited to, a surface area of the one or more carbon fibers of thecarbon fiber composite, a flow rate of fluid flowing through thecomposition, a pH of the fluid, a molecular weight of a contaminantentrained in the fluid, and a molecular size of the contaminant. Moreparticularly, for the contaminants to be filtered from the fluid, it isdesirable for the contaminant to contact at least a surface of theCCFCM. In this manner, reduction in porosity and an increase infiltration rate using CCFCM helps to increase filtration performance.

In other example implementations, a CCFCM functions as a filtrationsystem when included in a jet fuel filtration system to filter outsediments or heavier and unwanted fuels (e.g., diesel). Other filtrationapplications that may benefit from inclusion of CCFCMs include, forexample, storm water collection and sampling applications, particularlyin urban or laboratory environments that provide exemplary settings forstorm water collection, sampling, etc. Regardless, when included in anytype of filtration application, the CCFCMs described herein areadvantageously non-toxic to any aquatic, semi-aquatic, or land-dwellingorganisms exposed thereto.

In some example implementations (e.g., permeable pavement applicationsor filtration), the one or more carbon fibers with the epoxy resinmatrix applied thereto of the CCFCMs have undergone a refining process.For the purposes of this disclosure, when referring to the refining orrepurposing process, refinement or repurposing specifically refers torefining of the one or more carbon fibers with a matrix applied theretoof the CCFCM into discrete elements, even smaller particle sizefractions, etc.

For example, the CCFCMs are first refined to remove the coarsestelements using a mechanical separation process. Shredding and thenhammer-milling the carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto of the CCFCM into discrete elements through about a 25.4-mmscreen is one such mechanical process, but other processes can be usedto separate the CCFCM into discrete elements. Subsequently, onceinitially processed, the CCFCM elements can be further processed inorder to refine the carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto of the CCFCM into different particle size fractions relative toa weight by volume percentage of the composition (i.e., of the totalcomposition of the CCFCM and the medium).

The carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix applied thereto of theCCFCM are differentiated into four particle size fractions by furthermechanical screening or an equivalent process, e.g., large particles areconsidered as those passing through a 6 mesh and retained in a 10 mesh,medium particles are those passing through a 10 mesh and retained in a20 mesh, small particles are those passing through a 20 mesh andretained in a pan, and combined particles are those passing through a 6mesh and retained in the pan. In another exemplary aspect, the carbonfibers with the epoxy resin matrix applied thereto of the CCFCM aredifferentiated into two, three, five, six, seven, or more differentparticle size fraction through a variety of different sized mesh screensor any other mechanical screening or any other equivalent process.

Each different particle size fraction thus contains a carbon fibercontent relative to a weight by volume percentage of the composition. Inone exemplary aspect, the combined particle size fraction relative to aweight by volume percentage of the composition is about a 60.8% totalhammer-mill carbon fiber with the epoxy resin matrix applied theretopassed through a 6 mesh screen. Within that fraction, the large particlesize CCFCM elements are about 21.1%, the medium particle size CCFCMelements are about 30.1%, and the small particle size CCFCM elements areabout 48.6%. In this instance, the highest carbon fiber content ispresent in the small particle size fraction (pass 20 mesh), the lowestcarbon fiber content is present in the medium particle size fraction(pass 10 mesh), and the medium carbon fiber content is present in thelarge particle size fraction (pass 6 mesh). As such, by modifying thecarbon fiber content relative to a weight by volume percentage of thecomposition (e.g., by material and/or particle size fraction of theCCFCM) the characteristics of the composition are modifiable as desired,e.g., the filtration rate of the composition is modifiable depending onthe particulates filtered using the composition.

In some aspects, modifying the filtration rate as described herein mayimpact other characteristics of the composition (e.g., porosity, splittensile strength, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity). In suchinstances, balancing the filtration rate against other characteristicsis specific to each circumstance and is also dependent on the at leastone medium in which the carbon fiber composite is incorporated. However,an overall improvement in at least porosity, infiltration rate, splittensile strength, compressive strength, or modulus of elasticity of thecomposition results merely from incorporating a carbon fiber compositein at least one medium, which is variable as loading of the carbon fibercomposite changes. Accordingly, the improved characteristics of thecomposition incorporating a carbon fiber composite into the medium areimproved relative to a composition including a medium devoid of a carbonfiber composite such as CCFCM. Consequently, it should be apparent thatrefining of the carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto of the CCFCM may be accomplished in a manner that depends on thecarbon fiber content desired for inclusion in a particular medium. Moreparticularly, CCFCM element particles that pass through a 20 mesh may beincorporated into medium where a high carbon fiber content is desired.While one example of refining CCFCMs has been outlined above, it is notmeant to limit the ways refining of CCFCMs is achievable. Other forms ofor processes for resizing CCFCMs may be used and do not depart from thescope of the present disclosure.

The CCFCM (i.e., the refined carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrixapplied thereto particles and/or unrefined carbon fibers with the epoxyresin matrix applied thereto) is configured to be incorporated with amedium in order to enhance filtration properties of that medium, as wellas other characteristics of the medium. The medium may include clay,cellulose, sand, peat moss, perlite, glass beads, zeolite, concrete,asphalt, etc. As noted above, the CCFCM may be refined prior tocombination with the medium, for example, using a shredding and/orhammer mill. As a result of the refining process, the CCFCM may compriseCCFCM element particles (i.e., fibers with the epoxy resin matrixapplied thereto) that may have their physical structures altered in amanner that improves filtration of fluids, gases, solids, etc. Moreparticularly, in one example, randomly folded basal planes on a fiberinterior of each CCFCM element particle, as well as a microporoussurface that results from a surface treatment (e.g., curing), improvesfiltration because, as compared to granulated or particulate carbonspecies, the fiber interior of each CCFCM element particle has a largeexterior surface area relative to a fiber volume, while a crystallinenature of the fiber interior provides a mesoporous structure thatresults in increased absorptivity. FIG. 1 illustrates an interior 100 ofa refined CCFCM element particle, where randomly folded basal planeshave resulted. As used herein, “randomly folded basal planes” refers toan internal and/or a surface crystalline structure of the CCFCM elementparticle, where a graphitic basal plane is generally oriented in aradial direction of the CCFCM element particle. For example, a highlymolecular orientation of a PAN precursor polymeric upon graphitizationresults in randomly folded basal planes.

The CCFCM comprises at least one mesoporous material (i.e., a materialhaving pores with diameters substantially between about 2 nm and about50 nm), where such additional materials may provide enhanced filtrationabilities. A CCFCM comprising at least one mesoporous material providesenhanced filtration abilities because the pore size of the filtrationmaterial dictates the physical screening size in regards to the abilityof the system to capture and retain molecular or biological elements ina given size range. The molecular size of common water or other fluidcontaminants can vary from sub-nanometer to sub-micrometer. Thenanometer range and smaller is the most difficult to capture typicallyfor a filtration system so the inclusion of a media containing pores inthat size range allows for physical segregation as well as increasingsurface area of the media.

For loading of CCFCM element particles in a matrix material, a very lowpercent (e.g., more than about zero percent by weight or about one toabout two percent by weight) may be desirable. Notably, the addition ofany material to a system can result in changes in physical andmechanical properties to that system, thus the desire to add a minimalamount of a material and still achieve a homogenous yet randomdistribution that provides the noted benefit(s) is desirable. As such,for example, a loading of about two percent by weight for a high aspectratio particulate such as CCFCM is desirable.

Alternatively, for mechanical applications with the potential forfiltration applications, the mechanical loading for CCFCM elementparticles can be about 35 to about 45 percent by weight. For a carriermat or other application where the CCFCM element particles are theprimary component, loading can be about 99 percent by weight or more.These systems can have a small amount of binder. The carbon fibersurface should be accessible by the fluid being filtered whether it isactually open or if it is in a matrix that can easily let the fluid passthrough and be exposed to the CCFCM element particles.

It can be desirable to introduce CCFCM element particles of one or moresizes and one or more quantities to a medium in order to reduce knownpollutant concentrations to below a standard benchmark level. Forexample, a CCFCM comprising one or more one or more carbon fibers and anepoxy resin matrix is configured to be added to a medium in a definedweight by volume percentage of the total composition of the CCFCM andthe medium (e.g., about 10 to about 50 percent) in order to reduce theknown pollutant concentrations. Exemplary pollutants collectable inlab-water and/or urban-collected storm water specimens are Copper, Zinc,Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium,Mercury, Petroleum Hydrocarbons (Diesel Fraction), Total SuspendedSolids (TSS), and Kerosene. Other pollutants not listed, but otherwiseknown, are also contemplated.

One example approach for evaluating a potential water qualityimprovement (i.e., a reduction in known pollutant concentrations tobelow the standard benchmark level) is to evaluate a potential tosequester the pollutants in collected specimens (e.g., collectedlab-water and/or urban-collected storm water) and then performadditional testing with multiple pollutants and different CCFCM elementparticle sizes.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating various steps in a method 200 formaking a composition, such as that described above. As shown at 202 and204, the method includes providing at least one medium, andincorporating a carbon fiber composite with the at least one medium, thecarbon fiber composite comprising one or more carbon fibers with anepoxy resin matrix applied thereto to produce a composition havingimproved characteristics and filtration performance.

In some example implementations, the method further comprises refiningthe one or more carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto of the carbon fiber composite into different particle sizefractions relative to a weight by volume percentage of the composition.

Further examples of testing and analysis using CCFCMs as describedherein are provided below. These examples are merely exemplary and aremeant to provide practical testing applications of using CCFCMs.

Example 1

A water toxicology assessment was performed using prepared media. Theprepared media included a permeable composition (e.g., pervious concreteand porous asphalt), each including a quantity of refined CCFCMs as anadditive, as well as pervious concrete and porous asphalt without theadditive. Each of the prepared media was evaluated on daphnids.

With the control specimens and the composition including the perviousconcrete media with the CCFCM additive specimens, all daphnids exposedto the clean water infiltration procedure died within the first 48hours.

Specimens including porous asphalt media with the CCFCM additive weretested. The addition of CCFCM to the porous asphalt medium appeared toprevent toxicity from the leached water. A 100% daphnids survival ratewas observed with the porous asphalt medium with the CCFCM additive,compared to a 63% survival rate with the control porous asphalt withoutan additive. These results show a potential for the CCFCMs to mitigatetoxins and other pollutants. The same result was found with road runoff(collected storm water), where the porous asphalt media with the CCFCMadditive had a higher survival rate than the control porous asphalt, a24% and 2.5% survival rate, respectively.

Example 2

Adsorption jar testing was performed using kerosene and a quantity ofrefined CCFCM element particles to investigate the potential of CCFCMelement particles to improve water quality. Results from the jar testingindicated that the addition of the CCFCM element particles potentiallyadsorbed organic compounds and improved water quality. Additionally,tests were performed to determine whether the CCFCM element particlesare toxic to the water flea, Ceriodaphnia dubia, which is commonly usedto determine water toxicity for aquatic life. Results were favorable andindicated that the CCFCM element particles were unlikely to be toxic toaquatic life.

Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which thedisclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specificimplementations disclosed and that modifications and otherimplementations are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing description and theassociated drawings describe example implementations in the context ofcertain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should beappreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions maybe provided by alternative implementations without departing from thescope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, differentcombinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitlydescribed above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of theappended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they areused in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A carbon fiber composite additive comprising: oneor more carbon fibers with an epoxy resin matrix applied thereto.
 2. Thecarbon fiber composite additive according to claim 1, wherein the one ormore carbon fibers comprise a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-type carbon fiber,and wherein the epoxy resin matrix comprises at least one of athermoplastic resin and an epoxy resin.
 3. The carbon fiber compositeadditive according to claim 1, further comprising a mesoporous material.4. The carbon fiber composite additive according to claim 1, wherein theone or more carbon fibers comprise an interior structure having randomlyfolded basal planes.
 5. The carbon fiber composite additive according toclaim 1, wherein the one or more carbon fibers with an epoxy resinmatrix applied thereto is separated into different particle sizefractions.
 6. The carbon fiber composite additive according to claim 1,wherein the different particle size fractions comprise about 21.1percent, about 30.1 percent, and about 48.6 percent relative to a weightby volume percentage of a composition incorporating the carbon fibercomposite and at least one medium.
 7. A composition comprising: at leastone medium; and a carbon fiber composite incorporated with the at leastone medium, the carbon fiber composite comprising one or more carbonfibers with an epoxy resin matrix applied thereto to produce acomposition having improved characteristics and filtration performance.8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the improvedcharacteristics of the composition are improved relative to acomposition including a medium devoid of a carbon fiber composite. 9.The composition according to claim 7, wherein the composition isutilized for sporting goods, automotive, and non-structural aero partsapplications where improved filtration performance is desired.
 10. Thecomposition according to claim 7, wherein the carbon fiber composite isa cured carbon fiber composite material (CCFCM).
 11. The compositionaccording to claim 7, wherein the one or more carbon fibers with theepoxy resin matrix applied thereto of the carbon fiber composite arerefined into different particle size fractions relative to a weight byvolume percentage of the composition.
 12. The composition according toclaim 11, wherein a carbon fiber content of the different particle sizefractions relative to the weight by volume percentage of the compositionis modified in correspondence with a desired filtration performance. 13.The composition of claim 7, wherein the at least one medium comprisesclay, cellulose, sand, peat moss, perlite, glass beads, zeolite,concrete, or asphalt.
 14. The composition of claim 7, wherein the one ormore carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrix applied thereto of thecarbon fiber composite are incorporated with the at least one medium inone or more sizes and one or more quantities to reduce known pollutantconcentrations in a specimen to below a standard benchmark level. 15.The composition of claim 14, wherein the one or more carbon fibers withthe epoxy resin matrix applied thereto of the carbon fiber composite areincorporated with the at least one medium in a defined weight by volumepercentage of the total composition to reduce known pollutantconcentrations in a specimen to below a standard benchmark level. 16.The composition of claim 8, wherein the composition has improvedfiltration performance dependent on one or more of a surface area of theone or more carbon fibers of the carbon fiber composite, a flow rate offluid flowing through the composition, a pH of the fluid, a molecularweight of a contaminant entrained in the fluid, and a molecular size ofthe contaminant.
 17. A method for making a composition comprising:providing at least one medium; and incorporating a carbon fibercomposite with the at least one medium, the carbon fiber compositecomprising one or more carbon fibers with an epoxy resin matrix appliedthereto to produce a composition having improved characteristics andfiltration performance.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprisingrefining the one or more carbon fibers with the epoxy resin matrixapplied thereto of the carbon fiber composite into different particlesize fractions relative to a weight by volume percentage of thecomposition.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein providing the at leastone medium comprises providing at least one of clay, cellulose, sand,peat moss, perlite, glass beads, zeolite, concrete, or asphalt.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein incorporating the carbon fiber compositewith the at least one medium to produce the composition having improvedcharacteristics and filtration performance comprises producing thecomposition having improved characteristics relative to a compositionincluding a medium devoid of a carbon fiber composite.